Original version

BBC World Service Online

The Forum

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Discover world history, culture and ideas with today’s leading experts

The Forum: 15/10/2011 GMT

Discussion & Talk

15/10/2011 GMT

BBC World Service - The Forum, 15/10/2011 GMT

Have we got it wrong with the concept of the clash of civilisations?

Why centres and peripheries of countries as diverse as Pakistan, Yemen and the UK are drifting apart and what are the consequences.

Have we got it wrong with the concept of the clash of civilisations?  Distinguished Pakistani scholar and diplomat Akbar Ahmed says the real fault lines in today’s world are not between countries or religions but within them and that we should pay more attention to the often violent struggles between the centre and the periphery.

British geographer Doreen Massey sees a growing geographical divide in British society and says that the way forward is to tackle the financial power of the City of London.

And what might the future place of European culture be as emerging countries begin to offer new centres of gravity? Art curator Augustus Casely-Hayford says his recent tour across Africa made him think it's high time we woke up to the new world of multi-polar culture.

Illustration by Emily Kasriel: People at the periphery using art to fight back.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Forum

15/10/2011 GMT

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service